Universal M1 info

[Bluesilverado]

Anyone have any info on the universal m1 30 caliber semi auto? What are they worth? A friend wants to sell me his but I have no idea about this gun other than it’s in decent shape and was made in the early 1960’s , any help would be appreciated thanks

 

[machman]

Some Universal M1 Carbines have a non-restricted 19" barrel which make them more valuable. Some later models use a weird double OP rod spring which makes them undesirable. If this one you've found has the single spring and the long barrel I'd suggest up to $500. Double spring and short, restricted barrel, less than $350. FWIW I'm no expert on Universals though.
Here is a good site for researching civilian model M1 Carbines: http://www.m1carbinesinc.com
And Universal models in particular: http://www.m1carbinesinc.com/carbine_universal.html

 

[LordEvilPepper]

the more USGI parts its made with the more they are worth. but overall they are considered bottom of the barrel for M1 carbines. if its a restricted variant with the forked oprod (weird hole in it for the bolt lug) $200-250 if its still in good shape without any cracks in the oprod, if it has the USGI style traditional oprod... $350-400 if it's in realy good shape.
I know I wouldn't pay more. they were never particularly well made guns that just got worse overtime. Not like plainfields, they got better and better till the point were they weren't making much money off them because the build quality was such a high standard in the end lol.

 

[rl4930]

Early universals are all usgi parts.

 

[LordEvilPepper]

Early universals are all usgi parts.

thats not true at all.

the first couple years were %100 Compatible with usgi parts. They forged there own receivers. within 3 years they started making changes, by 1967 they were mostly incompatible.

If you get one that says Universal cal .30 m1 on the rear of the receiver it should except USGI parts... anything after that well... you roll the dice on compatibility and the value is next to nothing.